How Does One Simply Forget (Book 2- On the Edge Series)

Masked Man

Make sure to look at all the pictures

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The masked man grabs my arm and yanks me to my feat. I'm not screaming anymore but I am whimpering to shocked to say anything. Aiden jumps up and takes hold of my other arm.

"Let her go!" He yells at the masked man. I also see Four stand up tense and ready for what ever happens next.

"Who are you. I have my suspicions but stop being a coward and take off the mask." Four demands threateningly.

His grip on my arm tightens and I flinch. None of the students on the bus have guns but I know Four does, he always has one on outside of school. I keep my eyes on Aiden who is also looking into my eyes, they are full concern, confusion and a bit of anger.

Masked man looks down at me and I avert my gaze to the ground but not fast enough. I know he saw me looking at Aiden because he points his gaze at directly at him. He glances between the two of us then leans down to whisper in my ear that all too familiar voice.

"Is this your boy friend?" He asks with an sadistic pleasure in his voice. I shake my head fiercely, but he doesn't buy it. Sooner than I can scream bloody murder masked man pulls out a gun and shoots it in my direction. Then I hear another gun shot and the hand grasping my arm lessens. I look towards masked man and see blood poor from his chest. I slowly move my eyes towards Four who has a gun in his hand still pointed towards ski mask.

"How," I gasp "Are you still alive?" An evil smile forms on his face and he uses his last words.

"Ask your mother." Then he starts to cough and choke on his own blood causing it to spray everywhere. Then I remember the other shot and pat my torso but feel no wounds. I look to Aiden because I really want his perfect comforting loving embrace but instead I see a sight the shatters my world.

"AIDEN!" I scream throwing myself next to him. He is sitting lob sided in the bus seat his face towards me but leaning against the window. I am kneeling next him on the floor, tears streaking my face. I cover his wound with my hand but it does nothing. I look up at him and he brings his hand to my face and wipes the tears away but I see him flinch at the movement and take his hand in mine to hold next to my face so that he is cupping it.

"Don't leave me Aiden please I need you. We all need you." I whimper.

"Tris," he whispers horsely, "Tris you gotta be there for mom she loves you like a daughter, she's gonna need help around the house, okay." I nod vigorously. "Someone should have told your dad that the whole 'hurt my daughter and I'll kill you' thing is just to scare the guy, not to actually shoot him." He jokes. And I give a short bitter laugh. He starts to rub his thumb under my jaw, but the tender motion suddenly stops and I look up at Aiden who has closed his eyes.

"NO! NO AIDEN, PLEASE NO!" I start sobbing uncontrollably. The sobs rake through my body and I don't move my face for the warm spot between his neck and chest waiting for him to wrap those strong arms around me and tell me everything's going to be okay.

"Tris," a voice says behind me, and I feel hands grasp my shoulders and pull me back I try to fight them but I'm be shocked to do much.

"No, he can't be. He can't. He's too young he has so much more to do so many more people to love and to change for the better." I sob into someone's chest. I look at who is holding me and see Mason who also has tears running down his face which makes me cry harder. "He did this I say turning to the crumpled body in the floor. I walk over to him and rip off the black ski mask to revel the horrible curse face of my disgusting father. "Andrew." I say through clenched teeth and start to punch his lifeless body. I stand up and star to kick him in the ribs braking every single rib bone.

"Tris stop, please stop." I turn towards the voice because it sounded exactly like Aiden, but it was only Charley. I walk over to the both of them and stop. "Mom needs to know," Charley says taking out his phone.

We all walk off the bus and I call 911. All three of us are completely Agilent tears still running down our faces. Mason is the first to speak. "What are we going to do?"

"I called 911 and they will take care of him but we need to get home."

Sirens come screeching in and police officers come up to us to ask us question but I interrupt them before they can say a word.

"We just lost our brother officer . I would very much appreciate it if you would please just bring us home. No questions asked." I say completely exhausted. I reach out for Aiden to take my hand but nobody grabs it and the feeling of that lose hits me so hard in the gut that I throw up.